Oscillating gr a in-m eter



G. B. HOWLAND. OSUILLATING GRAIN METER.

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 4, 1885 WITNESSES Way/6W ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. HOWLAND, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

OSCILLATING GRAIN-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,509, dated August 4, 1885.

Application filed March 524, 1884.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. HOWLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois, have invented a new and useful Automatic Grain-llleter, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to automatically measure grain as it falls in a continuous stream from a suitable hopper, and to automatically register the quantity of grain thus measured. This I accomplish by an oscillating cradle having bearings below the hopper on the samevertical planeas the outlet thereof, which is divided into two scoop-shaped receptacles by a partition arranged transversely at its center of length, from which point the bottoms of said receptacles dip to the right and to the left respectively. Thus, when a sufficient weight of grain has fallen into one receptacle to complete a given measure, the cradle will rock to that side, and the grain will be discharged therefrom. At the same time the partition will oscillate through the falling stream of grain, cutting off the same from the full receptacle and directing it into the empty one, which latter will in its turn, when it has received its allotted measure, dip and discharge its contents. As the cradle oscillates from side to side it actuates the registering devices, as will hereinafter be more fully explained, and as illustrated in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the registering devices. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same, and Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a side elevation of the oscillating cradle.

In the drawings, A A represent four vertical posts-two on each side-connected at their upper ends and supporting a suitable hopper, B, having an outlet, a, in its bottom. On a transverse shaft, 1), having bearings in the framework connecting the upright posts A on each side of the machine, and placed in the same vertical plane below the outlet of said hopper, is journalcd a cradle, O, at its center of length. This cradle G is trough-shaped, and is divided transversely at its center of length into two receptacles, l and 2, by a partition,

(No model.)

a, which, as one of these receptacles receives its allotted measure of grain from the hopper above, thus causing the cradle to rock, cuts off the further supply of grain into the full receptacle and directs it into the empty one, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

From the partition 0 the bottoms of the receptacles dip in opposite directions toward their outer open ends, and the oscillations of the cradle are such that the bottom of the receptacle into which the grain is falling is horizontal, while the declivity of the bottom of the receptacle which is emptying its contents is such that the grain is easily discharged therefrom.

It will be observed that it is the weight of a given measure of material in one receptacle that oscillates the cradle and brings the empty receptacle under the outlet of the hopper. As the weight of a given measure of one ma terial is greater than that of another-as in the case of oats, corn, and wheatit is necessary to increase or decrease the weight of the empty receptacle. This I accomplish by placing on the outer vertical side of the eradle, slightly removed therefrom and parallel to the contiguous edge of the partition 0 on a line radiating from the oscillating center of said cradle, a gage-rod, d. On this rod I place an adjustable weight, D, and by moving this weight away from or nearer to the oscillating center of the cradle the resistance to be overcome by the'material accumulating in the receptacle under the outlet of the hopper is made greater or less, as desired.

In order that the moment one receptacle has received its allotted measure the supply of grain being fed thereto may be shut off, I make an inverted-U frame, E, which rides the partition 0, as shown, and has projecting laterally from that portion which covers the upper edge of said partition flanges e c, which extend out to theoutskirts of the falling mass of grain. The moment, then, the cradle begins to oscillate, these flanges cut off the falling mass, and the brushes F, extending down from either side' of the outlet of the hopper, sweep what may accumulate on the said flanges and uppermost part of the U -frame E into the empty receptacle.

Extending down from the longitudinal center of the cradle is a V-shaped frame, f, the inverted vertex of which, as the cradle oscillates from side to side, strikes against a crank, g, of the r0ck-shaft G, which is journaled in suitable bearings extending up from a transverse horizontal frame supported between the side posts, A A, below the plane of the shaft on which the cradle is journaled. This rockshaft G has its end extend through and beyond its bearings adjacent to the side of the cradle opposite to that on which the adjust able weight D is placed, and has on its extremity a lateral arm, g, which has pivoted on a stud extending from it parallel to the rock-shaft G a pawl, H, which with each oscillation of the rock-shaft urges the unitsratchet 7c forward one tooth. This ratchet is fast on the shaft 71 which is journaled in bearings contiguous to the bearings of the rock-shaft and in the siding if, connecting the posts A, through which latter it passes. Shaft h is provided with a hand or finger on its outer end, which, as said shaft revolves, indicates the number of measures on a dial, i, placed concentric to said shaft h 011 the siding h".

Loosely journaled on the shaft 71 between the ratchet and the siding 71 is the ratchet m, the hub of which extends to the outside of said siding,where it is provided with a hand, m, which indicates the fifties on the dial i. This ratchet m is driven forward one tooth every revolution of ratchet 7a. This I accomplish by makin the diameter of ratchet in less than that of ratchet k, and by making one of the teeth k of the latter ratchet deep enough so that when pawl H engages it said pawl will also engage ratchet m, and urge it forward one tooth. \Vhile said pawl engages the remaining teeth of ratchet is it escapes engagement with ratchet m.

Pivoted in suitable bearings, at about their centers of length, immediately below the open ends of the cradle, are the chutes I I, which are capable of being inclined in either direction, thus delivering the grain measured in said cradle to one or two different points, as described.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in an automatic grainmeter, with a hopper, of an oscillating cradle divided into two receptacles by a transverse partition and an invcrtedU frame designed to ride said partition, and having flanges extending laterally from the top portion thereof, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in an automatic grainmeter,with an oscillating trough-shaped cradle divided into two receptacles by a central transverse partition, of a weight adjustable vertically on a rod radiating from the center of oscillation of said cradle and parallel to the contiguous edge of said partiton.

3. The combination, in an automatic grainmeter,with an oscillating cradle and a hopper placed above said cradle, having an outlet 011 the same vertical plane as the pivotal center of said cradle, of the chutes I I, pivoted in suitable bearings immediately below the ends of said cradle.

4. The combination,with a hopper, A, having an'ontlet in its bottom, and brushes F, arranged transversely on either side of said outlet, of the oscillating cradle O, divided into two receptacles by a partition, 0, and the frame E, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination in an automatic grainmetcrywith an oscillating cradle, and frame], extending downward from its under surface, of a rock-shaft, G, pawl H, ratchet 71 shaft h, having a hand on its outer end, and a dial, i, as hereinbefore set forth.

6. The combination, in an automatic grainmeter, with an oscillating cradle, and a frame,

f, of a rock-shaft, G, having a crank engaged by said frame f, and registering mechanism actuated by said shaft.

GEORGE 13. HOlVLAND. \Vitncsses:

FRED B. I'IO'WLAND, Gnonen HoL'r. 

